What Came To Pass

[Darth Evandrus]

This meeting was not something that Evandrus had wanted to call.

It was a meeting that he had not expected to have to ever call.

Xornoth had done amazing work for him and Evandrus truly could not give his friend enough credit most days. Before the attack on Kessel, Xornoth had never made a mistake of note and his service to both Evandrus and the Empire had been exemplary. The Kaleesh had gone from strength to strength and Evandrus had even given him his approval and support behind his recent push to be named Grand Moff of the Empire.

And then his friend had gone to Kessel and he had made his first mistake in his time serving in the Imperial military.

Just the luck of the two of them that his first mistake was costly.

An advanced prototype exploratory ship - gone.

A corvette he had a long and detailed personal history with - gone.

A Sith Master of considerable skill and power - gone.

When Xornoth stepped into the throne room, Evandrus would be sat on his throne in his armour and armed as he often was. Evandrus looked at the Kaleesh commander through his helmet for a long moment before speaking.

"Kessel."

His voice cut through the silence between them like a whip.

"What happened, Xornoth." he questioned further, "In your own words. I want to hear it from you - not from the holonet messages from the Dark Lord or the War Master. As your superior officer and as your friend... what happened?"

@Xorism

 

[Xornoth Sk'ar]

Within the Empire existed a brutal chain of command that would rear its head on occasion to ensure the subordinates of its existence and collect the dues owed for failures made. The failures of Kessel were perhaps not his own fault but still, the responsibility lay with the commander even if he didn't find himself at fault or the cause of the problem.

Lord Evandrus was naturally disappointed to hear of the report and destruction of the Judgements assets but Xornoth was not planning to delay the confrontation longer than necessary, adhering to meet with Cregan within a few hours of returning home.

Anger had mostly subsided from within the Kaleesh on the long trip back but images of the battle continued to flash in his mind as he strode into the Princes hall and began to close the distance between them. Dressed appropriately in his own Sith armor and weapons he kept his face unmasked while taking consideration as to what he would say. Stunning silence coursed between the two friends until Evandrus spoke menacingly, setting the tone of the conversation with his usual dramatic flair.

Carefully Xornoth would watch his friends reaction to what he was about to say.

"I have eliminated the last thread in the conspiracy that threatened your family, my Lord." Now it was Xornoth's turn to remain silent for dramatic effect momentarily before he continued.

"After you executed Abigail it was only a matter of time before Eisa found out the truth of the matter, her skills and knowledge of Lothal made her too great of a threat to be left alive. If she had found out while outside the reach of the Empire, she could have returned not only for your head but that of your family too."

Reaching slowly into his pocket, Xornoth removed a small holoprojector which lit up to display security footage of the Sith Master executing the failing Lieutenant.

"The Skyward Sword was an unfortunate loss, but a necessary one to secure the illusion but even I could not predict the suicidal nature that Eisa would display by charging directly into the broadside of a Frigate. All that was needed was for me to disable the bombers from being able to launch until after her death and find a scapegoat. Fortunately, one such forgettable lieutenant was the perfect patsy and has joined Eisa in the great unknown."

A deep sense of satisfaction revealed by his words, but here, actions spoke louder still while he waited for the reply.

As Head Warden, Xornoth had been granted certain privileges and authority to condemn and kill Imperials as he saw fit but doing so did not come without consequences of its own of which he was about to test for the first time.

@Nefieslab

 

[Darth Evandrus]

... what?

Evandrus didn't move from where he sat for a long moment.

He just listened and waited as Xornoth explained himself and spoke about why he had done what he had. It made for grim listening indeed and it caused a complex array of emotions to well up inside of Evandrus. This was someone he considered a friend and a reliable subordinate and he was admitting that he had gone out there with the aim of having one of his fellow Sith killed and completely ignoring the fact that he had cost the Empire a powerful asset in the process.

"Warden Ward - get in here." he spoke into his com-link at last before standing from his throne, "Xornoth. Abigail Nimbus was guilty of treason. Eisa was not. Eisa was an asset to the Empire and her loyalty was not in question. You were there when I began to put steps in place to ensure that loyalty would continue - I did not want Eisa dead because Eisa had done nothing wrong."

With Spencer now entering, Evandrus spoke again.

"You are Head Warden and you enjoy many privileges - but you answer to me. You use your privileges to seek out targets that have been deemed acceptable by me or the Empire. Eisa was not a target." he took a breath before shaking his head, "The Lieutenant? I don't give a damn about him as a person but was he guilty of what you executed him for?"

But the worst part was to come.

"You lost several fighters. Understandable. Acceptable even." he acknowledged before adding, "A prototype exploratory ship and a corvette. These? Are not small losses, Xornoth. These are assets that factions across this Galaxy would LOVE to have and they are now gone."

He gestured with a hand, the Force knocking the back of Xornoth's knees to send him down onto his knees. Evandrus was brimming with the Force, the Dark Side clearly shining through.

"You shall be removed from the position of Head Warden, with Spencer to take your place. You will not show your face to me again until you are returning with a replacement corvette - one taken from outside of the Empire. And lastly..." he stared down at his friend and his subordinate, "You will not lose sight of the goals of this Empire and your place within it ever again."

With that last part, Evandrus reached out with the Force to crush Xornoth's left eye to a pulp. He didn't relish this but he had been punished very publicly for his part in infighting before. There was no excuse for it - especially not when he had specifically ordered a different tact to be taken with the unfortunate victim of said attack.

@Xorism @Faster Than Light

 

[Spencer Ward]

Spencer didn't care about being addressed by his rather unfortunate title and last name combo this time. He read the reports about what happened above Kessel. Judgement assets were destroyed in battle against random pirates for the Warmaster's Kessel campaign. What happened. Eisa was dead. Spencer had worked with her before and she was a capable Sith from what he had seen. That along with her advanced ship. Most importantly, the Skyward Sword was destroyed. What? How... . No. The same venerable ship that Cregan reclaimed for the Jedi before he joined Andraste. The same ship that Spencer himself stuck his neck out for to steal it from the Jedi. The same ship that killed Grandmaster Sige was destroyed. All good things must come to an end. If anything, if it went down, Spencer would have imagined it going down in fully glory in an epic battle. But it was destroyed by random pirates. So many things went wrong, like the bombers not being mobilized and their squadron leader being executed. Spencer wasn't upset or anything though.

He was absolutely livid. Spencer came right in the chamber when expected, looking upon the kaleesh as he strolled by keeping his distance and then took his place at Lord Evandrus' side afterwards. His stoic expression betrayed how he really felt about this malarkey as he looked upon Xornoth. Still, Spencer had some measure of restraint. Just enough.

After Evandrus started using the force on Xornoth, Spencer heard the bombshell. The kaleesh was no longer the Head Warden. Now the ex-Jedi Shadow is. That was... he doesn't know what to make of that. He didn't change his expression. Spencer was fine with Xornoth being the Head Warden. Spencer was fine serving Cregan and Xornoth did earn his spot. But this changes things. He will have to ponder later. He always thought as himself as more of a follower than a leader.

Xornoth's punishment is due. This isn't the Jedi, where they tend to be forgiving. This is the Sith. If Xornoth accepts his punishment, all will be sorted out. If not, Spencer is here to ensure 'judgement' is enforced and ready to react anything through out as he always is.

 

[Xornoth Sk'ar]

Xornoth listened intently as it appeared Evandrus was in fact not pleased with the outcome of what he had just said and worse, the punishment due would be severe. Buckling under the force grapple, Xornoth offered no resistance and fell down onto his knees and waited to hear what it would be.

The loss of assets and Eisa were one thing, but to be stripped of both rank and his vision was brutal and instantaneous. Xornoth yelled violently in agony as the gruesome mess appeared on his face before both Spencer and Evandrus. Cybernetics could replace the eye itself but it would never be the same again losing ones natural eyesight.

The pain coupled with the sense of betrayal quickly swelled an inner rage within the Kaleesh, something that in the presence of Spencer he fought hard to contain lest it burst forward.

The obvious strain on his face was showing as he began to speak. "I promised to protect your family, and I will. I promised to serve the Empress and her Empire, and I will. The lost corvette I personally will replace as its destruction is at my hands.

I will not, however, lower myself to serve Master Ward if you so see it fit that I am no longer worthy of Head Warden. If your decision is final, then accept my full and formal resignation from the Judgement and you will never see me again."

Perhaps killing Spencer would force Lord Evandrus to reinstate him as Head Warden. The usurping Master was standing right in front of him as he spoke, it could be done he considered carefully shielding his thoughts against intrusion. Perhaps this was a test for Xornoth...

@Nefieslab @Faster Than Light

 

[Darth Evandrus]

Evandrus was waiting.

Waiting for an outburst.

Waiting for a cry about how this wasn't fair.

He stared down at Xornoth for a long moment. He stared down at the Kaleesh, his own emotions in turmoil. Here was someone who was supposed to be his friend, his ally and stand by his side. Instead, he had gone against plans they had put into motion together and had made a mess while doing so. This wasn't the kind of thing that Evandrus could sweep under the rug even if he wanted to and he wasn't going to.

"Do you think so little of my authority that you would seek to squirm your way out of my ruling?" he asked, bluntly, "You do not get to resign because this is part of your punishment. So no - I do not accept your resignation, Xornoth Sk'ar. You shall take the position of Warden and you shall serve under myself and Head Warden Ward. Until such a time as you expire or you ascend to the rank of Sith Lord."

His signature in the Force darkened considerably and he made a hand signal to Spencer - a hold over from their days as Jedi Shadows that instructed his ally to apply a Force stasis effect.

"Let me make this clear, Xornoth." he seethed, "Either you accept this and get out of my sight immediately to get me my new corvette... or you will be directly violating the express orders of a member of the Sith Council. And I will Judge you appropriately."

And invisible grip would settle around Xornoth's throat and Evandrus would squeeze it shut tightly for a moment before relaxing the grip - but still keeping it in place.

"Make your decision, Sk'ar."

@Xorism @Faster Than Light

 

[Spencer Ward]

Well... this is... dramatic, he is thinking as he is watching everything unfold still. With Evandrus hand-signal, the Force would quickly find itself locking Xornoth's body in place. The stasis grip would be nice and tight. Although as tempting as it would be to squeeze on it and see if he could hear a bone or two crack and take his own frustrations out on the alien, the ex-Jedi Shadow has more self-restraint than that and kept the thought out of his head.

Spencer would continue to watch things unfold as he keeps his force lock-down as long as Evandrus sees fit. Still though, Xornoth is obviously frustrated. Regardless of what transpires here, Spencer is going to have to be sure to watch his back around Xornoth going forward. This is the Sith after all and the obvious resentment is obvious.

@Xorism @Nefieslab

 

[Xornoth Sk'ar]

Violence and murderous intent coursed through the veins of the Kaleesh but with the utmost strength and resolve Xornoth held back his emotions, only perhaps being betrayed by his eyes. It wasn't like he was in control of his own limbs at this point, two powerful Sith locked him in place until all he could do was nod silently.

Gritting his teeth together, he answered carefully when the choke hold softened. "My life is yours to command, my Lord. I shall do all that you order."

Cregan was his superior, mentor and friend and they had spent years developing a bond but it seemed that the bond between former Jedi was stronger. Xornoth swore mentally that he would forgive his friend one day for inflicting this punishment once Cregan had spent more time understanding why he had done it but Spencer? Unlikely, if the former Jedi had anything to do with this. The skar on his face would serve as a permanent reminder of it.

A judge does not sit among the judged nor does he condemn the innocent but his final Judgement must be obeyed, lest his Judgment cascade from the heavens to sate his wrath.

In the foundations of power, Lord Evandrus had taught a much younger Kaleesh that only a coward would refuse to name. Xornoth was once broken and without direction but a great man offered the lost, a single, final chance to reclaim his destiny and remember. He had after all chosen to become someone more. Spencer gawked down upon Xornoth, in silence but Xornoth would turn to return the stare intensely while clenching his teeth and seething fury behind his words.

"Head Warden Ward."

@Nefieslab @Faster Than Light

 

[Darth Evandrus]

The decision was made.

Evandrus made the hand signal for Spencer to release Xornoth and did the same himself. Instead he looked down at Xornoth for a moment in silence. Staring at his Kaleesh friend for a long time, Evandrus took a deep breath before waving a hand imperiously at both Xornoth and Spencer.

"Both of you - leave now." he declared firmly, "I am to leave for an excursion with the Dark Lord and the Empress and I do not wish to keep them waiting."

He sat back down in his throne, resting his chin on his fist as he watched his two subordinates leave.

"I shall watch your progress when I return - both of you." he announced, "Make sure neither of you disappoint me."

/Ending Thread
@Xorism @Faster Than Light